Cowboys Conference Call with First Round Pick Travis Frederick
The Dallas Cowboys first round pick was Travis Frederick, a center from Wisconsin. Courtney Schellin reported from the Cowboys Training Facility out in Valley Ranch the night of the draft to receive the inside scoop. The FULL conference call with Travis Frederick and the Cowboys follows:
Q:
What’s up Travis?
A:
How you Doing?
Q:
I’m good, are you surprised by this? Did you see this coming?
A:
You know, I was a little surprised. You know I thought that I was probably going to fit somewhere in the second round but they also showed a lot of interest in me throughout the process and I knew that they definitely needed a little bit of help inside and they were looking to upgrade that and I think I’m going to fit in pretty well down there.
Q:
Do you know where you’re going to play? Have they talked to you about anything yet? Center, guard, is there any spot you feel more comfortable at?
A:
No I’m not sure yet. I do feel very comfortable at both positions, so I think that’s what helps me out is being able to play both positions. I’m sure they have some sort of idea for me but I’m looking forward to getting down there and just trying to see where I fit in.
Q:
Do you feel like you’re ready to step in as a starter whether its at center or guard?
A:
You know I think so. I think it’s definitely going to take some time to get everything down and learn the ways from some of the vets but I think that over the summer in camp and what not I think that’s going to be a great opportunity for me to grow and learn from those guys and hopefully be able to step in early.
Q:
Were you a little fearful of your Pro Day and all the other stuff? You had a slow 40, you only had 21 reps, did that concern you at all?
A:
No I wasn’t too concerned with that. I think there’s different reasons for different things happening. As far as my bench goes I think that that’s something that Wisconsin is not known for doing well at is their reps because we’ve always been trained to do low reps high intensity so we do single reps or double reps and I do very well in those areas so I don’t think that the 21 reps and the bench was truly indicative of my strength. And as far as the 40, you know I definitely didn’t run as well as I could have and I probably could’ve run it again at Pro Day but it wouldn’t have been a whole lot better it would have been a little bit better I guess but you know I don’t think that’s truly indicative of the way that I play either. I think the film really shows how I play and I’m a tough player that’s going to go out and run block very well and hopefully be able to pass block as well I think I do a good job of anchoring in against the goal rush or even somebody that’s maybe a zero nose technique.
Q:
How was your visit here and how long did it go? What’d you talk about with Callahan?
A:
You know I think the visit went really well. I came down and stayed over night got a chance to see the stadium, which is beautiful, got a chance to go out to Valley Ranch and see the facilities out there and talk with the coaches and things like that. I think that all went very very well. I thought it was very productive and a very beneficial meeting for me.
Q:
What were you doing when you got the phone call and what was your initial reaction?
A:
I was just sitting watching the draft with my family and a few close friends. It was a moment of excitement. You know I didn’t really truly expect it coming. I thought there might be a chance and my phone rang and I was very very excited.
Q:
How many visits did you take during this process?
A:
I took a total of five visits.
Q:
Who were they?
A:
I’m not allowed to say. The teams asked me not to disclose that.
Q:
Travis when you say second round, was there a spot in the second round you thought you might go: early, middle, late?
A:
You know, I thought I was going to fit in the early part of second round that was really my guess. I thought there might be a chance I sneak in there late, so I’m not completely surprised by it, but I’m very excited
Q:
With your measurables not that great, what is it do you think that the Cowboys liked about you? What did they communicate with you about what they liked?
A:
I think they liked the way that I play. I’m a tough player; I’m a tenacious player. I’m also a player that plays with a high football IQ, I think that I’m able to kind of pick up on the offense very quickly and I’m going to be able to make adjustments at the line and be able to help direct everybody. I think those are things that they really liked.
Q:
So when they called you no the phone they didn’t say “center, guard or were looking at you for any one position?”
A:
No, I think that once I get down there, we will have a chance to kind of fit it in and see where it works.
Q:
Can you talk about the tradition of the Wisconsin offensive lineman you guys have. You had Joe Thomas, Konz last year, Moffit, all theses guys. What is it about Wisconsin lineman?
A:
You know there is definitely a tremendous tradition there. I think that having that tradition helps continue that tradition on. That tradition is one of the reasons that I chose to go to Wisconsin. Just knowing that such great offensive lineman come out of there and it would probably, or hopefully, give me the opportunity if I worked as hard as I could to be in the situation I am today. I’m very excited to join that long line.
Q:
Travis, what’s your playing weight? What was it in college and what do you want it to be in the NFL?
A:
I played in college at around 325-335, somewhere in that 10-pound range. I dropped a little at the combine to kind of lean up a little bit, and I’m back up to about 320 right now. I think my playing weight in the NFL will probably be between 320-325 depending on what the coaches tell me.
Q:
Travis, it’s a little bit warmer down here so do you plan on keeping the beard or what is the story with that?
A:
No, I think it’s about time to cut that off and start anew.
Q:
We’re curious, what is the mascot of Big Foot High School?
A:
Big Foot is the Big Foot Chiefs. Haha.
Q:
Thanks Travis.
A:
No problem, thanks guys.